[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 144 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ORDER OF PROCEDURE

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I believe there is still some more debate on 
the ISTEA legislation or other actions that may be considered tonight. 
So we will not do the closing at this time. But just so Senators will 
know what the present situation is and what they can expect later on 
tonight, of course, we do not expect any further recorded votes 
tonight. It is our anticipation that at 9:45 in the morning, there will 
be a vote on the cloture motion relating to the ISTEA highway 
construction bill. I am still trying to find a way to clear this bill 
of the obstructions that have been placed in its path so that we will 
have safe highways and safe roads and get this major legislation 
through the Senate. We have had two cloture votes. The next cloture 
vote will be tomorrow at 9:45 a.m.
  We made a serious effort today by all concerned on both sides of the 
aisle and both sides of the issue with relation to the campaign finance 
reform matter to find a way to move forward, and I believe that Senator 
Daschle and I had basically reached an agreement, but then other 
Senators indicated that they wanted something more and we couldn't 
complete that agreement.
  I think that is really unfortunate. I thought what we had come up 
with was very fair, that we would take up campaign finance reform by 
the first week of March and that amendments would be in order. But we 
will continue to work on it, hopefully, because I do think this is very 
important legislation. I will have to make a decision as majority 
leader after tomorrow's cloture vote as to what to do at that point. If 
we get cloture, obviously, we will go right on with the amendments with 
regard to ISTEA, the highway transportation bill, and I believe we can 
get it completed next week even though we have a lot of very important 
amendments pending.
  If we don't get cloture, I have to make a call as to whether to spend 
another half of a week trying to cut off basically the filibuster that 
has gone on with regard to this legislation and move on to other 
matters. I think that would be unfortunate. I think this is important 
legislation that needs to be passed.

  On Monday, if we have not been able to clear from hold the Federal 
Reserve nominees, it would be my intention to move to debate those and 
get a vote on them. And we also are going to have to act early next 
week, in some form, with regard to the threatened Amtrak strike.
  Beyond that, we will consult with Members on both sides of the aisle 
and let them know what will be the legislative schedule next week.
  If we cannot get something worked out on ISTEA, we will move on to 
other issues. And, of course, I would like to continue to work on the 
Executive Calendar, but that takes cooperation on both sides of the 
aisle. And if we cannot get cooperation on committee meetings and on 
how we resolve campaign finance reform, I guess we will not get 
cooperation on nominations either. But we will keep moving forward and 
see if we can come to some reasonable agreement so we can get this very 
important legislation completed.
  I yield the floor, Mr. President.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, what is the business before the Senate?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is still conducting morning 
business until 6:30 this evening.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I wonder if the distinguished majority 
leader would mind if the Senate returned to the consideration of the 
highway bill?
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would have no objection to that. I would 
like to make sure that the manager of the bill has no objection at this 
time.
  Mr. CHAFEE. It is my understanding that the distinguished Senator 
from West Virginia is going to make some comments and no motions or 
anything are involved. It is strictly some remarks in connection with 
the legislation.
  Mr. BYRD. That is correct. I would like to make them while the 
highway bill is pending before the Senate.
  Mr. CHAFEE. So I have no objection.
  Mr. BYRD. I thank the Chair.

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